Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish and omega-3 rich oils may decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, especially among ApoE ?4 noncarriers.

French scientists analyzed the relationship between dietary patterns and risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s adjusting for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors, and taking into account the ApoE ?4 genotype.

The researchers monitored the diet of 8,085 dementia-free participants aged 65 and over.
At the 4-year follow up examination an independent committee of neurologists validated 281 incident cases of dementia, including 183 Alzheimer’s cases.

They found that daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with a decreased risk for all types of dementia.

Weekly consumption of fish was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.

Regular use of omega-3 rich oils was associated with a decreased risk for all types of dementia.

Regular consumption of omega-6 rich oils (main source in a Western diet is from refined vegetable oils used in snack foods and fast food) not compensated by consumption of omega-3 rich oils or fish was associated with an increased risk of dementia among ApoE ?4 noncarriers.